Mirror sign for advertising or the like



N. EN HOLM MIRROR SIGN FOR ADVERTISING OR THE LIKE Oct 11, 1938.

Filed Oct. 19, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Norman EnHolm BY V201- ATTORNEYBS Oct.'ll, 1938. N. EN HOLM 2,132,475-

mnmoa smu FOR ADVERTISING on THE LIKE Filed Oct. 19, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 /mages/Lsp/aced Patented Oct. 11, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Norman En Hoim, New York, N. Y., assignor to Multi Vue Signs 00., Inc., a corporation of New York Application October 19,

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a mirror sign for advertising or the like of the type having a plurality of reflecting mirrors spaced apart from each other to produce multiple images of the indicia comprising the sign.

An object of the invention is to provide a sign of the character described in which the multiple images appear to move and thereby produce new and novel effects not heretofore obtainable.

) Another object is to provide a sign of improved construction in which multiple images are produced by a simple mechanism enclosed within the casing of the sign.

Afurther object is to provide a sign in which two mirrors relatively fixed, are moved together to produce multiple images of the indicia comprising the sign.

A further object is to provide a sign in which the multiple moving images are brilliantly illuminated by means inclosed within the sign casing.

Other objects and advantages will appear from the following specification, it being understood that modifications, variations and adaptations may be made without departing from the invention hereinafter claimed. In the copending application entitled Mirror sign, Serial Number 152,698, filed July 9, 1937, is disclosed a sign, the main feature of which consists of pivoting or suspending one or both mirrors in a sign of the character described, so they are relatively movable,

and moving one or both mirrors to produce the effect hereinafter described. The present invention differs from that described in the aforesaid nu application, in that in the instant case the mirrors are relatively fixed to move together relative to the framework or casing which supports them. In the accompanying drawings where one form of the invention is shown by way of illustration Figure 1 is a top view partly in section of a sign embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is a front view of the sign Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an end view of the sign Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a front view of the mirror frame of the sign Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a sectional view on the line 5-5, Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a sectional View on the line 6--6, Figure 4.

Figure '7 is a sectional view of the front and rear mirrors of the sign, Figure 1, showing the silver coat on these mirrors and how the indicia.

may be applied on the rear of mirror I4;

1937, Serial No. 169,761

I4 showing the indicia applied on the face thereof instead of the rear;

Figures 9 and 10 are diagrams illustrating how the relative position of the reflected images changes to produce a new and useful effect when the opposed surfaces of which are spaced a suitable distance apart by spacers l5 at the ends, or in any other suitable manner. Frame i2 is made preferably of channels as shown in Figure 6, one end being left open to permit the mirrors to .be withdrawn from the frame as hereinafter described. The mirror frame is supported at its center on pins [6, l6 which fit the bearings or sockets in the casing 10 on which it is free to oscillate, as shown in dotted lines Figure 1, so that it can move about a vertical axis. Obviously the pins can be located at the ends of the mirror frame to permit same to move about a horizontal axis if desired. In the latter case the top. of the mirror frame is left open instead of the end to permit withdrawal of the mirrors and as such a modification is obvious it is not here shown or described in detail.

The front mirror l3 may consist of a sheet of glass or othertransparent material provided with a thin coating I3 of silver on its rear face, which coating is sufficient to form a. reflecting surface by reflected light and sufficiently thin to enable one to see through the glass.

Immediately in the rear of mirror 53, but spaced a small distance therefrom, is the rear mirror l4 having on its rear face a thick silvered coating M which is not transparent to transmitted light.

The indicia or advertising matter to be displayed by the sign to form movable multiple images may consist of any desired lettering, picture or design and is formed by removing the coating 14 leaving the plain glass I4 where the indicia is to appear. The spaces so made are then coated (either on the front W or rear W of glass I4) if desired, with suitable transparent colors. The blank spaces need not be fully covered by the indicia. This provides a translucent design on the rear mirror l4.

The translucent design on mirror It is adapted to be illuminated by means of a suitable light source such as the electric lamps l1, I! which are mounted in the closed casing formed by H] and the rear casing Ill With the mirrors arranged as above set forth and with the design formed as described, light rays from the lamps ll, l'l are directed through the translucent design M on the rear mirror, and reflected images will be produced of said design and an image will be produced of the debe repeated and formed a multiple number of times directly behind one another and at a distance apart.

When the light rays from the lamps are projected through the rear mirror in this manner, part of said rays are transmitted through clear glass around the colored areas and therefore a greater illumination of the reflected images of the advertising design is produced and there will be obtained a brilliantly lighted effect. The increase of illumination makes it possible to effect the production of a greater number of reflected images and therefore the illusion of the repetition of the advertisement is enhanced.

Such effects are old in the art where both mirrors'have been stationary, the sign producing no illusion of motion, the lettering or other advertising being stationary. However, with the present invention, the geared motor I 8 being in operation, thereby moving frame 12 by means such as crank I8 the entire multiple image is apparently in motion, giving rise to effects heretofore unobtainable and of such large variety and complexity that no attempt is made to describe them here, although a brief description of these effects is given in the aforesaid copending application.

By reference to Figure 9 the reason why the images on the mirrors are displaced or shifted will be apparent. The observers eye being fixed at 2B, the images 2| will apear to be symmetrically arranged and will be reflected back and forth between the mirrors l3, M, the images being laterally spaced an equal distance apart from each other and from the center line 22.

Assuming the mirrors to be moved to the position shown in Figure 10, the images 2i are angularly displaced as shown, those above the center line 22 in the figure being more separated than is the case with the mirrors in the position, Figure 9, and those below the line as indicated by the Jumeral 23 being crowded together as shown. The reason for this shift in position will be readily understood if it is remembered that the observers eye 20 remains fixed in respect to the mirrors during their movement from the position shown in Figure 9 to that shown in Figure 10. 'Secondly, the images on the mirrors are changed by oscillating both mirrors simultaneously.

To permit changing of the mirrors, the door is is provided in the end of the casing m While the term translucent has been applied to the indicia or design on one of the mirrors, it will be understood that any suitable indicia or design may be employed, either translucent or opaque, and that such design may be applied dicia can therefore be varied within wide limits.

Various methods of illuminating the sign other than that shown herein are disclosed in the copending application heretofore mentioned.

While this application discloses a compact unit structure in which all operating parts are enclosed within a casing including the source of light for illuminating the mirrors, it will be understood from the foregoing that the light source may be spaced apart from the casing containing the mirrors and the motor for moving same, and that the invention is not necessarily limited to placing the light source within the casing.

What is claimed:

1. A sign of the class described comprising a casing, a pair of mirrors spaced apart and maintained in fixed relation to each other and movably supported in said casing, one of said mirrors being translucent, illuminated display matter carried on the other of said mirrors, and means for moving said mirrors to produce moving multiple reflections.

2. A sign of the class described comprising a casing, a pair of mirrors spaced apart and maintained in fixed relation to each other and movably supported in said casing, one of said mirrors being translucent, display matter carried on the other of said mirrors, means within said casing for illuminating said last mirror, and means for moving said mirrors to produce multiple moving reflections.

3. In a sign of the class described, a sheet of transparent material forming a mirror, a second mirror adjacent thereto, means for holding said mirrors in fixed relationship, means for moving said mirrors while so held to produce moving multiple reflections, and means for illuminating said mirrors. 7

4. In an apparatus of the class described, a plurality of mirrors having fixed opposed faces, one of the mirrors being translucent, means including a source of illumination for causing a primary image to fall on one of said mirrors, and means for moving both said mirrors to produce moving multiple images.

5. In a sign of the class described, a casing, a transparent panel secured thereto and closing the front thereof, a movable mirror frame behind said panel, relatively fixed mirrors spaced apart, one of which is translucent adapted to form multiple images carried in said frame and movable therewith, means for moving said frame, and means for illuminating said mirrors.

6. In a sign of the class described, a casing, a transparent panel secured thereto and closing the front thereof, a movable mirror frame behind said panel, relatively fixed mirrors adapted to form multiple images carried in said frame and movable therewith, one of said mirrors being translucent, an aperture in said casing adjacent said frame whereby said mirrors can be removed therefrom without removing the frame from the casing, and means for illuminating said mirrors.

'7. In a sign of the class described, a casing, a transparent panel secured thereto and closing the front thereof, a movable mirror frame behind said panel, relatively fixed mirrors adapted to form mutiple images carried in said frame and movable therewith, one of said mirrors being translucent, and means in said casing for illuminating said mirrors.

8. In a sign of the class described, a mirror frame having channels therein, mirrors one of which is translucent, removably supported in said channels and held relatively fixed in said frame, means to move said frame to cause said mirrors to produce multiple reflections, and means for illuminating said mirrors.

9. In apparatus of the class described, a mirror frame, a pair of mirrors mounted therein and having their reflecting surfaces adjacently fixed and spaced apart, one of said mirrors being translucent, means for moving said mirrors to produce multiple reflections, and means for illuminating said mirrors.

10. In apparatus of the class described, a casing, a frame removably mounted to oscillate therein, means including a translucent front mirror and a second mirror, said mirrors having opposed reflecting surfaces and being carried by said frame for producing multiple images, a motor in said casing operatively connected to said frame to cyclically move the same, and means for illuminating said first means.

NORMAN EN HOLM. 

